What’s on in Christchurch this weekend and beyond
Relay for Life
❚ When: Saturday, April 6
❚ Where: Lancaster Park, Christchurch From 10am to 10pm, teams will walk or run continuously for 12 hours at Christchurch’s iconic Lancaster Park.
Relay for Life not only raises vital funds for the Cancer Society Canterbury West Coast but also provides a platform for participants to celebrate, remember, and honour those affected by cancer.
With a target fundraising goal of $200,000, organisers are determined to make this year’s event a resounding success.
“We’re excited to be hosting our event at such an iconic venue. Lancaster Park is a sports ground that nearly all Cantabrians have heard of and has a special place in the hearts of many sports fans,” Cancer Society community funding partner Cherie Roper said.
Visit the Relay For Life website to sign up or donate.
Acclaimed musicians at Great Hall
❚ When: Sunday, April 7
❚ Where: The Great Hall, Arts Centre, Christchurch
Christchurch violinist Natalia Lomeiko performs alongside viola player Yuri Zhislin for a special early evening concert in the Arts Centre’s Great Hall at 6pm on Sunday.
Joined by pianist Sarah Watkins, the programme includes Schumann, Brahms and Shostakovich.
Natalia and Yuri are both are professors at the Royal College of Music in London and are highly sought after as performers, mentors and recording artists worldwide.
Bookings can be made at the Arts Centre’s website.
North Canterbury Creative Market
❚ When: Saturday, April 6
❚ Where: Kaiapoi Club at 113 Raven Quay, Kaiapoi
Discover a treasure trove of creativity at the North Canterbury Creative Market. There’ll be over 60 stalls featuring products and services from local creatives, so whether you’re searching for handmade crafts, or unique gifts, you’ll find it here.
Entry is free.
Christchurch Food Show
❚ When: Friday, April 5, to Sunday, April 7
❚ Where: Wolfbrook Arena, Addington, Christchurch
Wolfbrook Arena will transform into a paradise for foodies, boasting a lineup of new masterclasses, renowned chefs and hot exhibitors at the Christchurch Food Show this weekend.
Sample the latest artisanal delights, discover exclusive show-only specials, and indulge in gastronomic treats from hundreds of exhibitors. Don’t miss the Hancocks Spirits Masterclasses, featuring a Margarita Masterclass and a Gin & Cake High Tea experience.
Visit foodshow.co.nz to secure your tickets online.
Maker’s Market at XCHC
❚ When: Friday, April 5 (5pm to 9pm) and Saturday, April 6 (10am to 4pm)
❚ Where: XCHC (Exchange) on Wilsons Rd, Christchurch
Immerse yourself in a world of creativity at the Maker’s Market, hosted in collaboration with XCHC resident artists and local creatives. This market promises a unique shopping experience filled with handmade art, bespoke gifts, and delicious treats. Meet the makers behind the products and shop – and eat – as you support local craftsmanship and artistry.
Make new friends
❚ When: Friday, April 5
❚ Where: Elements by IHF at 166 Cashel St, Christchurch
Join the ŌC Social Club for a bi-monthly meetup at Elements by IHF. Connect with new people in a relaxed atmosphere with nibbles and drinks provided – no pressure, just socialising and making new friends. About 95% of attendees come alone, so this event is designed to break the ice and foster meaningful connections within the community.
Pooch Pool Parties
❚ When and where: Saturday, April 6 (various sessions between 9am and 4.30pm for different sized dogs) at
Waltham Pool; and Sunday, April 7 (10am to 12pm for all sizes) at Templeton Pool.
Get ready to paw-ty with your pup at Christchurch’s popular Pooch Pool Parties at Waltham (April 6) and Templeton (April 7) pools. Whether your furry friend is small, medium, or large, there’s a session tailored just for them.
“We know how excited owners get each year when these events come around, and they’re always a roaring success,” Christchurch City Council head of recreation, sports and events Nigel Cox said.
Take advantage of free microchipping at the sessions too, along with dental hygiene checks by Aldwins Road Vet clinic and ID tag engraving by Purr. Meow. Woof.
Entry is a gold coin at Templeton Pool, and $3.50 per dog at Waltham Pool. Dogs need to be vaccinated and well behaved.
After the event, the pools will be prepared for their winter shutdown.
Single Fin Mingle
❚ When and where: Saturday, April 6 in Sumner Village and The Loons in Lyttelton.
❚ Tickets online at thesinglefinmingle.com
The Mingle is an annual festival celebrating surfing and the culture which surrounds it.
This year’s Sumner celebration promises world-class surfing, music, movies, and art. A Saturday street party in Sumner Village features music from The Butlers, Wax Mustang and Emily C Browning while an after party will be held at The Loons in Lyttelton.
New Zealand Army Band: Diamond Jubilee
❚ When: Sunday, April 7
❚ Where: Christchurch Town Hall Celebrate the 60th anniversary of the New Zealand Army Band with a family-friendly concert at the Christchurch Town Hall. Experience the band’s evolution through a variety of musical performances showcasing its exceptional vocalists and worldclass brass soloists. From traditional brass compositions to contemporary arrangements, this concert promises to delight audiences of all ages.
Tickets are available from Ticketek.
Riverside Live Music Nights: Reuben Derrick
❚ When: Thursday, April 11 (6pm to 8pm)
❚ Where: Riverside Cantina, Christchurch Central
Join Reuben Derrick and his band for an evening of music that promises to uplift your spirits and soothe your soul.
It’s part of the regular Riverside Live Music Nights at Riverside Catina, where you can also treat yourself to a selection of drinks and platters while you enjoy the music. Tickets are available from Riverside Market’s website.
Telling fairy stories
❚ When: Five shows from Wednesday, April 10 to Saturday, April 13
❚ Where: The Piano, Armagh St, Christchurch
Step into the enchanting world of Fairystories, a musical for all ages inspired by the true story of the 1917 Cottingley Fairies.
Featuring a star-studded cast, this musical follows the journey of two children whose photos capture the imagination of the world, leading to both wonder and heartbreak.
Tickets are available from Eventfinda.
This column was created using generative AI tool Chat GPT with oversight and editing from Press journalists.
New research has lifted the lid on parental leave and just how challenging returning to work after having a child can be for parents.
Conducted by financial wellbeing firm Crayon and The Back to Work Coach, a survey of 369 New Zealanders has found navigating parental leave and the subsequent return to work can be the most challenging moment in a person’s employment career.
Finances were rated as the biggest challenge for workers during their parental leave, with inflexibility in the workplace cited as the biggest challenge upon returning to work.
Respondents in the Parental Leave: A Kiwi Experience report expressed a desire for “greater flexibility” and more consistency in the transition support process, including a clear return-to-work plan, said Stephanie Pow, founder of Crayon and the New Zealand Parental Leave Register.
Pow said the research rung clear that workers wanted more support from their employers – and to not feel forced into returning to regular hours of work or fiveday working weeks that were no longer seen as manageable with raising a young family after an initial grace period.
Rebekah Fraser, founder of the Back to Work Coach, said inflexibility by employers often stemmed from a lack of trust and a lack of understanding of what the return to work experience can be like – and therefore not being able to anticipate what support staff may need.
“Things like flexibility make a big difference to people, and something [employers] should consider the impact of,” Fraser said.
“Employers need to talk with the returner and understand what could be flexed to accommodate their needs. Looking at things from more of a creative stand point and how they can support that person with flexibility to get that job done – it can be the hours of work in a day, compressing work days in the week or offering working from home.”
Fraser said the research found that workers wanted to feel genuine support from their employer and the opportunity to talk about what is possible even before returning to work.
“There needs to be a willingness to engage in ongoing conversation; before parental leave, while they are on parental leave and once they return to work to understand where someone is at, expectations and what support is available. [Parental leave] can be a long process, potentially two years or more of considerations.”
One woman who shared her insights in the research said she was told after her parental leave had started that she could not return to work part time and had to fight during her leave to get that.
Another said she missed out on work opportunities after returning to work after having a child: “I wasn’t even being offered them as it was assumed I wouldn’t be interested as I have young kids at home. Like travel to conferences or advancement opportunities at work.”
Fraser said employers need to take a “person-centric approach” rather than being “rigid in terms of policy” or risked losing talent.
She would like to see managers and leaders receive more support themselves to be able to understand the spirit of parental leave and returning to work policy.
“[They need to consider] how do we ensure this person has a really good experience and can give their best to the workplace and their performance, and continue to progress their career aspirations even though they’ve had a change of life circumstances.
“People are not unreasonable, they’re not selfish, they just really want to be seen, to be able to contribute and participate in a decision that works for them but also with the context of their employment. [Businesses] need a good policy but they also need a process that supports the individual to get the best out of that policy.”